Page 13 of The Last Morgan

They arrived back at the mansion just as the sun dipped below the horizon. The mansion glowed gold in the twilight, its wide windows reflecting the last warmth of the day. Inside, the atmosphere was stiff. Lucy entered the dining room, her heels echoing across the marble. Richard sat at the head of the table, wine in hand with the rest of the family seated either side of him.

Lucy handed her jacket to a maid, freshened up quickly, and took a deliberate seat at the opposite end of the table.

The staff were serving dinner, but it was hard to ignore the difference in treatment. They smiled warmly at her aunt, uncle, and their children — offering extra attention, extra portions. But when they reached Lucy’s side of the table, it was a different story. Cold glances. Slower service. Polite, but just enough to get by. Let’s just say... they weren’t exactly made to feel welcome.

Lucy said nothing. Just smiled faintly, folding her napkin across her lap. The clink of cutlery filled the silence. The occasional murmur of conversation. The atmosphere was brittle almost ready to crack.

Lucy leaned forward.

"Aunt Lillian, what time do the house staff begin work?"

Lillian looked up from her wine. "Six am sharp."

"Good," Lucy said. "Have them all assembled in the foyer by seven. I’d like to introduce myself formally."

One of the servers froze mid-pour. Lillian, tight-lipped, gave a small nod.

"You heard her. Pass it on."

After dinner, Lucy stood. "Goodnight, Corey."

"You’re missing out," he said through a mouthful of second helpings. "These potatoes are unreal”.

Lucy smiled as she left.

Her room was quiet. She peeled off the day slowly—each layer of clothing a symbol of power shed for peace. The bathroom filled with steam as hot water thundered from the shower-head. She stepped in, letting the heat wrap around her, melting away the stress, tension, and politics.

Water slid down her back, tracing the curve of her spine, pooling at her feet. Her head tipped back under the stream, her eyes closed, whilst the thoughts of the day tumbled away like droplets.

The directors.

The board.

Davina.

And Byron.

She shouldn’t have thought of him.

She stepped out, skin flushed, hair dripping. Wrapping herself in a towel, she padded across the room toward the window, drawn by the cool night breeze.

And there he was.

Byron.

Standing like a statue beneath the floodlight near the guesthouse. Shirt sleeves rolled up, cigarette burning between his fingers. Smoke curled lazily around his face.

He looked up.

His eyes met hers. Steady and unflinching. That same haunting intensity that caught her off guard the fist time she saw him.

She stopped moving. Her heart skittered like a stone over water.

Then her towel slipped.

"Crap!" she yelped, diving to the floor in a clumsy mess of fabric and limbs.

She scrambled on the plush carpet, gathering the fallen towel with a furious flush rising to her cheeks. The cool air hit her skin, only worsening the sting of embarrassment.

From under the windowsill, she peeked again.

He was still there.

Still staring.

Unmoving.

And then just like that he was gone.

"Lucy?" Corey’s voice on the other side of the door. "You okay? Byron said he saw you drop... something?"

"I’M FINE!" she shouted, sitting in the exact same spot under the window.

She pulled the towel tighter. Her face felt like it was on fire.

Tomorrow, she told herself. ‘I Start again Tomorrow’.

Morning sunlight streamed through the wide bay windows of the Morgan estate, casting a golden glow over the room as Lucy opened her eyes. For a moment, the warmth felt like peace. But then the weight of everything—the company, the legacy, the enemies—settled back on her chest.

Today was important.

Lucy picked out a sharply tailored Black pantsuit, accented with silver buttons and a crisp white blouse. She tied her hair back into a low ponytail, letting a few strands fall loose to soften the sharp angles of her face. The finishing touch was her father’s watch.

She didn’t wear it for time.

She wore it so she could feel close to him.

At the base of the steps, the household staff were already assembled as requested. They stood in a neat line, looking slightly nervous but attentive. Lillian hovered nearby, maintaining her usual posture of authority.

Lucy offered a warm smile. "Good morning, everyone. Thank you for being here. I know this is a little different from your usual routine, so I appreciate your time."

She paused and let her words settle.

"I want to start by saying I respect the work you all do. I grew up here, and I know how much effort it takes to keep this home running. I'm not here to tear anything down. But I do want to establish something clearly."

Her tone remained gentle, but firm.

"As of today, I am the head of this household. I want to be approachable and fair, but I also expect respect. Mutual respect. I won’t tolerate anyone being treated as less than, including myself."

She glanced at Lillian.

"Lillian will continue to oversee the day-to-day coordination of staff. But ultimate decisions in this household rest with me now. If anyone has concerns or ideas, you can bring them to me. My door is open."

A few nods. A few eyes widened. But the energy in the room had softened.

"Thank you all again. Please carry on with breakfast."

As the group broke apart and moved toward the dining room, Lucy followed with Corey a few steps behind. The long table was already set, silverware gleaming, fresh juice poured, and the scent of coffee drifting in the air.

The family was already seated: Richard at the head, Lillian beside him, Jackson and Sarah in their usual seats. Lucy sat across from Richard, with Corey beside her.

The staff began to serve breakfast. Richard first. Then Jackson. Then Lillian. Then Sarah.

Lucy waited. The Attitude was the same as last night, and given that Lucy had just delivered the polite warning not so long ago this was just not going to wash.

Corey was served.

And finally, Lucy.

There was a pause in the room, like the air had shifted. The server stepped back quickly, eyes averted.

Lucy placed her napkin gently on the table and rose to her feet.

The room stilled.

She turned to the remaining staff who were still present in the room.

"Just a moment ago, I spoke to you all with respect and openness. I acknowledged the work you do and offered you the opportunity to walk with me in the new direction this house will take."

Her voice was calm, but carried authority.

"But when I am deliberately served last in my own home and made to feel unwelcome, it sends a message—and not a good one."

She turned her gaze to the entire room, not just the server. “This is not about the food. This is about respect. It’s about how things work now. If you haven't adjusted to the order of things, you need to. And quickly."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “If this kind of behavior continues, you will be reassigned and removed from all family-facing duties. That applies to everyone. I expect professionalism and equal treatment across the board — no exceptions.”

She looked at Corey, her tone gentle again. "I’ll get breakfast on the go."

Just then, the sound of tires on gravel signaled the arrival of the SUV outside. Lucy and Corey made their way to the front door.

Davina stepped out from the backseat, holding a tray of coffee and a box of treats.

"I didn’t know what you liked, so I got options," she said cheerfully. "Flat white, cappuccino, chai, and two kinds of breakfast Croissants"

Lucy smiled and gently grabbed a coffee. "You’re a lifesaver."

Corey grabbed a croissant and nodded. "Smart hire." Lucy smiled and whispered, “What a change in attitude from last night, when you slyly questioned me” Corey took a large bite of a croissant and kept his mouth closed. When they arrived at The Morgan Group building, staff buzzed through the lobby, moving toward the demonstration hall. The air felt electric and full of expectations.

Lucy didn’t slow. She walked directly into the hall and up onto the stage.

The crowd fell silent.

"Good morning. My name is Lucy Morgan."

The crowd stared intently as she continued.

"Most of you know the story tied to my name. But I didn’t come here today to dwell on the past. I came here to lead."

She paced slightly, making eye contact.

"This company has survived scandal, tragedy, and time. Now, it will grow with transparency and strength."

She smiled softly. "There will be changes. Some small. Some big. All I ask is that you be patient and have faith that I’m not here to burn it down. I’m here to build it up."

A few subtle nods. A wave of understanding passed through the crowd.

"My office is open. Come and speak with me if you need. Well, that's all. Let’s make this a better place. Together.”

She stepped down.

"Davina," she said quietly, "have the head of security meet me in ten. Then set up your desk outside my office."

"On it," Davina beamed.

As Lucy walked through the hall, the stares followed. Some admiring. Some curious. Some cold and calculating.

"Let’s get the ball rolling," she murmured to Corey.

Ten minutes later, the head of security entered Lucy's office. A broad-shouldered man with short, neatly trimmed Black with hints of grey hair and a deep furrow across his brow, he stood with the kind of posture that came from decades of disciplined service.

"Miss Morgan," he said, nodding. "I’m David Roan, head of building security."

"Good to meet you, Mr. Roan," Lucy replied, gesturing to the chairs in front of her desk. "Please, take a seat."

David sat, his hands resting on his knees, sharp eyes taking in every inch of the office.

"I’ll get straight to it," Lucy said. "You are in charge of building security, and that does not change. However, Corey is the head of my personal team. That means he and his team will need full access to the building—every floor, every system, every emergency protocol."

David gave a short nod, though his jaw tightened slightly. "Understood. That can be arranged."

"This isn't about stepping on toes," Lucy added, her voice steady. "It’s about cohesion. You and Corey will work closely together. Same mission. Different focus."

Corey leaned forward from where he stood near the window. "We’re not here to override you."

David nodded again, this time slower. "Then I have no issue with that" He responded. Lucy smiled. "Great. Corey, you just need to decide if you want to find somewhere to work or if you’re going to hover over me forever."

Corey shrugged, grinning. "I suppose a desk up here and one in security will be good. That way I can go between the two."

"That works for me," Lucy said. "Davina, can you arrange a desk for Corey out there with you?"

Davina, who had just stepped back into the office with a notepad, nodded. "Absolutely."

Lucy tried not to smirk. She knew exactly what she was doing, setting those two up.

Corey looked flushed again. His ears turned red, and he cleared his throat awkwardly as he stood and walked to the window, pretending to admire the skyline.

Lucy watched him, in her head she mocked, ‘Corey is in love, no way he has emotions, right?’ She mused.

The meeting had gone smoothly so far. Now it was time for David to present his morning report, a usual practice for the company. He opened his sleek black tablet and began reciting a series of bullet points with the calm confidence of someone who had done this countless times. Minor security updates. Adjustments to staff entry clearance. Confirmation of new hires in surveillance. A quick review of the latest compliance logs.

Lucy nodded along, her expression calm but thoughtful. Her eyes occasionally drifted toward the window, as though she could feel the currents of something larger moving just beyond her sight.

David finished his notes and began to pack away his tablet when Corey's phone buzzed on the windowsill. The sound was faint but sharp, slicing through the polished stillness of the office.

He checked the screen. His expression hardened immediately.

"Lucy," Corey said, his tone shifting. He walked to her and handed over his device. "This just came through."

She took it, brow furrowing.

Multiple unauthorized access attempts. Target: Lucy Morgan personal files. Systems: Morgan Group Server & Home Network.

Lucy's jaw tightened. She looked up at David.

As soon as she did Davids's tablet started beeping, he immediately opened his device, syncing it into the building's cyber surveillance system. Corey was already moving, locking Lucy's laptop and engaging the emergency encryption protocols on her desktop.

"How far did they get?" Lucy asked.

"Two firewalls in," Corey said. "And that was just here. They were clearly trying to hit both your home and business at once."

David’s fingers moved swiftly over his screen. "This wasn’t a random probe. They masked their entry points through dynamic relays. I’m seeing bounces from a dozen regions, but two origin traces are consistent.” Lucy swore under her breath. "They're fucking bold."

Corey looked at her. "We need someone who can get inside their system before they make another move."

Lucy didn’t hesitate. "Barnaby."

David glanced up. "Who's that?"

Corey grinned. "Barnaby is our little brother, I’ve seen him break military encryption for fun."

"I trust him with my life," Lucy added, already grabbing her phone.

She messaged him a brief note: Need your help. Emergency. Pack your gear. Come now.

Corey was already calling him.

"Barns," Corey said as soon as the line picked up, "We need you. Dual breach. Corporate and estate. Level 2 firewalls got pierced."

There was a beat of silence, then Barnaby’s unmistakably chipper voice: "Finally. Real work. I’ll be there soon.

Corey laughed. "You got it, genius."

Lucy was already pressing her intercom to talk to Davina. "Can you call Lillian and get her to have the east wing guest suite cleared and prepped, also speak with the tech department and get them to go to my house and complete a triple monitor setup, isolated connections and organize a machine that creates bubble tea. Don't ask!"

David lowered his tablet. "I’ll coordinate with him once he arrives. In the meantime, I’m shifting the building into Level Two lockdown. All backups will be sent to offline vaults, and I’ll reconfigure the camera network to run in thirty-second loops for manual review."

Lucy nodded. "I want live monitoring on my office and the server room. Anyone accesses those files again without my explicit permission, I want to know before the system does."

David nodded tightly. "Understood."

He moved toward the door, then paused. "Should I inform your uncle about the breach?"

Lucy considered this, her eyes narrowing slightly. "No. Not until we know what exactly they were after. For now, this stays between us."

David gave her a respectful nod, then exited swiftly.

Corey returned to his usual spot by the window, phone still in hand.

Lucy turned to him. "Let me guess—Barnaby asked for a soldering station, four different wires, and a fridge of snacks too?"

Corey chuckled. "And a hoodie with his name on it."

Lucy shook her head, smiling. "I’ll embroider it myself if he cracks whoever did this."